Road leading to Wulong Temple

We came from afar to China Wudang Kung Fu Academy to learn Kungfu, and some of us even come from another end of the earth. Our goal of the travel is to practise the true Kung fu in Wulong Temple, and visit Southern Rock Cliff.

Led by Master Chen Shixing, we spent about 30 minutes from Wudang Kung Fu Academy by bus. We drove on the winding roads which will not be completed in more than 10 years and encountered only one oncoming car. The surrounding area is sparsely populated. Thinking of master's rich driving experience, we were not worried. We joked: "the car to open so soon, such a narrow way... if a vehicle comes in the opposite direction what will happen ?", A brother answered: "We are martial artists and can be used to recovery... the car will bounce oncoming people ... ha ha !!!" ... laughing, mixed with various accents from Hong Kong, Australian and American English, as well as the motherland of a wide range of tastes across the Putonghua.

having reached the end of the road,a local driver suggested us to go downhill and go through the canyon and tea garden, then uphill to avoid the checkpoints, and then enter the Wulong Temple.

In early spring, pending the recovery of all things,the mountain is full of greenery.

Haven’t come to mountain for a long time, I am full of power and enthusiasm. I still remember when I first come to the Kung fu school, I felt so tired after walking for a while. Life in big city is totally different from here.we are breathing fresh air in this beautiful and quiet place.

practise Kung fu in Wulong Temple

Going out of the Laomu Temple, we come to the gate of Wulong Temple. Because of the fire disaster in 1930 and the war later on, the rock door of the mountain still lies on the ground, providing a rest place for people. I didn’t feel tired and I have no other thinking, just passed by silently.

Known as the nine winding Yellow River, the holy way indicates the difficult process of Xuanwu’s turning into true man. And it is also an indication of the difficult way we climbed up to the mountian today. We see the magnificent Architectural which can be found only in imperial family. The thick red wall, upright stone tablet and pavilion in high symmetry, the turtle packing the imperial monument, dragon and tiger clay color inside Longhu tall god law enforcement all gave us deep impression and we are surprised by the superior skill.

Crossing the dragon and tiger hall, we see the middle yard. There are five ancient wells where true dragon lived according to the legend, a round sky pool, golden fish and beautiful willow. There must be a central axis which called emperor road in ancient time since it is a palace. large stone board and green plants , the flower which we cannot give a name, the pumpking vine formed a extremely beautiful scene for us. They are in a harmonious mood in all.

Wulong Temple was firstly built in Tangtaizong Period, and has a history of 1300 years until now. the largest scale was bulit in the midde Ming dynasty. There are more than 850 Pavilions, terraces, and towers in this mountain within our eyes’ reach. There was no picture of its building process, so we cannot imagine in a detail way. As for the intelligence and diligence, what we can do is to value and appreciate.

climbing On the two huge stone steps, we arrive at the farm house, our stopover. from afar we see the the new transparent roof of the adobe house, which is much more comfortable and natural than steel and concrete house Unloading parcels, sitting down, washing hands and face, taking a cup of tea,and taking a look at the surroundings…

The dinner is the typical countryside style. well-balanced, healthy meals are so fresh and attractive. We enjoyed with our heart content because it’s impossible to enjoy this kind of natural food in cities.

After a short break at noon, 15 o'clock, we arrived on a large open space inside Wulong Temple.there are some stones which all are arranged in perfect order. these stones were originally a large wooden stand inside the thick stone pillars , we sit down and began meditation. sunshine in the afternoon, the warm breeze of early spring, birds and the occasional open-shell buds for plants with flowers, so that our physical and natural universe together, so completely forgot his own everything, both physically and mentally relaxed it!

meditation stance

The basic training in theafternoon is of vital importance. stance training, horse stance, Sanfeng Taiji 13, Brush Knee and Twist step, Wild Horse Separate Mane and some other basic trainings are the items which we must practice everyday.

After finishing the afternoon practice, we took photos with the beautiful natural scenery, and the magnificent halls here.and then went around to enjoy ourselves.

Travel to Nanyan Gushendao (the original way leading to Nanyan)

We got up in early morning, doing morning practice and going to long walk again. Going downhill and reaching to the botom of canyon, and then climbing for about four hours along with Gushendao(the original way), arrived in Nanyan. The landscapes along the way are impressing. There are many exciting moments that I did not have time to recall here, I will make a video with pictures, using Kung fu Tiger as the background music. I hope we can learn from the tiger, to be hardworking and diligent, and finally get real Kung fu.

American student Peter

2009-03-20